Mary Virginia Jamison Shepherd

Jesus called Mary Virginia Jamison Shepherd of Callaway home Wednesday night, January 25th, 2017. Mom was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, John Hoston Shepherd; her parents, Willie Cornelius and Mary Burris Price Jamison; her sisters and brothers-in-law, Christine Poff (Kermit), Lucille Prillaman (Wilson), Elizabeth Renick (Stafford); her brothers and sisters-in-law, William Jamison (Myrtle), and C.T. Jamison (Lottie); her sister-in-law, Sybil Jennings (Walter); and brothers-in-law, Joel Shepherd (Illa), and Ed Shepherd (Ruby); and her son-in-law, Fred Taylor. Mary Virginia (Gin) was born in Callaway where she lived until she and John married in 1947 and moved to Norfolk, Virginia where they lived until they retired and moved back to Callaway to live near Dad's homeplace. Mom raised two daughters to love the Lord, supported them both in church and school, and worked as a catalog salesperson at Sears and Roebuck for many years. Mom was a gifted pianist who enjoyed music and entertained family and friends with her beautiful playing throughout her life. She made her house a home and every family event a party to remember. She leaves a legacy of the love of the Lord and family for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Left to honor her memory are her daughters, Linda Taylor and Debbie Hall (Claude); her grandchildren, Kara Ritter (Matt), Brandon Matney (Kristy), Meghan Flora (Kyle), John-Claude Hall, and Mariah Brady (Andy); her great-grandchildren, Abby, Sophia, and Mia Ritter, Cole Matney, Natalie, Ainsley, and Eli Flora, Aiowa Hall, and Cormac Brady; and numerous nieces and nephews. Her family is extremely grateful to her many caregivers, Mary Underwood, Tressi Mitchell, Carolyn Saul, Carolyn McPherson, Loretta Yopp, Pam McPherson, Robyn Abshire-Simms, and Heather Ferguson who have taken excellent care of mom throughout her declining health. Funeral services will be conducted from Rocky Mount Baptist Church 2 p.m. Saturday. Interment will follow in Mountain View Memorial Park. Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to Rocky Mount Baptist Church, 85 West Church Street, Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151. Her family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements by Flora Funeral Service and Cremation Center, Rocky Mount.